Haitians' anger at their political leaders has been brewing for months, fanned by insecurity, the rising cost of living and fuel shortages. But the recurrent and often violent demonstrations reached new heights on Wednesday, September 14 in Port-au-Prince and other large Haitian cities, effectively paralyzing the country. The touch paper was lit by an increase in the price of petroleum products that came into effect on the same day, following the announcement of this measure on the previous Sunday by the prime minister, Ariel Henry.
Fixed by the state, the pump prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene have jumped for the second time since the accession to power of the new prime minister in July 2021, a few days after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. A gallon (3.78 liters) of unleaded 95 has increased in price by 128%, from 250 to 570 gourdes (2.11 to 4.83 euros), while the price of diesel and kerosene is now nearly 670 gourdes, representing a 90% surge.
A nation bled dry
After the implementation of the new tariffs, Wednesday's massive demonstrations turned into a riot in Port-au-Prince, with roads blocked by barricades and numerous scenes of looting. In the affluent suburb of Pétion-Ville, the home of opposition leader André Michel was attacked by a crowd of protesters. The Haitian media reported at least two deaths by gunfire linked to the violent demonstrations that took place the day before in the capital. The French ambassador to Haiti, Fabrice Mauriès, tweeted that consular services were closing "effective immediately and until further notice."
The Haitian government has justified the decision to increase gasoline prices, taken by the Council of Ministers, by citing the need to reduce its subsidy on the price of petroleum products. After an interminable political, economic and security crisis that has plunged this country of 11 million people into chaos, the state is broke. "The funding to continue importing petroleum products amounts to 9 billion gourdes per month, twice as much as the monthly payroll of the state," the Ministry of Communication tweeted on Wednesday, before adding that "all the revenue collected at customs is not enough" to pay for this subsidy.
Official fuel prices have reached an unsustainable level for the largely impoverished Haitian population, whose gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for 2021, according to the World Bank, was 1,815 dollars – or 151 dollars per month – and for whom petroleum products are vital for transportation and for the operation of generators.
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